Common Names: Rose Hair Tarantula
Scientific Name: Grammostola gala
Distribution: Chile
Size: Up to about 5 inches with legs extended.
Temperament: Docile easily handleable - makes a good pet, house separately.
Hardiness: Very hardy when properly set up and maintained. Dehydrates easily.
Sexing: Adult males have palpal bulbs on the second set of legs (pedipalps). Also most males have a more slender appearance then the female.
Food: Nutrient fed crickets, jumbo mealworms, butterworms, mealworms, roaches and other various insects. Feed about once a week. Adjust feeding schedule according to weight of spider, do not allow to become obese.
Housing: Can be kept according to size in either glass or plastic storage jars, plastic terrariums, or glass tanks. Use either damp paper towels, damp vermiculite, orchid bark, or a soil/sand mixture substrate. Landscape and create shelters, burrows, and climbing areas with select driftwood, cork bark slabs, hollow logs, and if desired live or artificial plants.
Water: Provide a shallow dish of fresh water (i.e., bottle or jar cap) at all times for drinking. Mist enclosure frequently.
Temperature/Humidity: 75 F to 85 F. Moderate to high humidity (required for proper molting) is provided by damp substrate, small water dish and frequent misting of enclosure.
Lighting: Full spectrum lighting/U.V. radiation is not needed for maintaining captive tarantula. But if live plants are used, it will make them flourish and will bring out the best colors in both plants and spiders. 15 - 25 watt Red bulbs should be used if one desires to watch normal behavioral patterns as tarantulas are nocturnal. Caution to avoid desiccation when using incandescent Red light bulbs. Check temperature with thermometer before placing animal in enclosure.
Heating: Under tank reptile heating pad placed under 1/4 to 1/2 of enclosure will provide 24 hour bottom surface heat gradient (remember to keep substrate damp in some areas at alltimes.) And if necessary 15 - 25 watt Red bulbs can be used for daytime heat supplementation. Use a thermometer.
Notes: Most all of the tarantulas currently being offered can be set up and maintained under similar conditions.